Longest road project in city starts

Caption:  PM excavates part of the project site to signal start of construction.

By MATTHEW VARI

Sunday, May 11, 2014 (Sunday Chronicle, PNG)

THE hustle and bustle faced by commuters of Gerehu’s main exit routes to the rest of city of Port Moresby will be a thing of the past thanks to the construction of a new super highway to connect downtown Port Moresby to Gerehu, then on to 9 Mile.

Construction has begun with the ground-breaking ceremony conducted by the Prime Minister Peter O’Neill last week at Gerehu of the K318 million project, tipped as one of the longest ever road construction undertaken in the capital.

It will connect the Poreporena Freeway, running for 13kilometres from existing roads- starting from the Motuan Village of Hanuabada to Baruni out through the back roads out to Gerehu’s Kasio Roundabout (K196m) - connecting a further 9kms out to 9 Mile in the city’s North East region (K122m).

Contractor, China Harbour Engineering Company Limited (CHEC) has put in place the timeframe for completion of the huge project at 18 months in time for the 2015 South Pacific Game- a target that has mirrored those of many infrastructure projects currently undertaken in the nation’s capital.

The project has been financed by the National Government through concessional loans from China.

Speaking on behalf of the Governor for NCD Powes Parkop, Member for Moresby South Justin Tkatchenko, pointed out the economic benefits the project would generate in terms of jobs creation, travel time, land development, and easy access to the rest of the city.

“This is another historic investment by the National Government, commitment we have never seen before in our lifetime,” Tkatchenko said.

“It will pave the way for 4,000 residential lots, cut the travel time down by 75 percent, and create jobs for those that will have access to it.”

"I would like to thank the Prime Minister on behalf of my governor for the focus it has in building infrastructure, not only in Port Moresby but also around the country in areas of health and education also.”

He also thanked the National Capital District Commission and the Department of Works for making the project work.

In his address, the PM assured taxpayers of the contractor’s ability to deliver the project on time and of high standards, making reference to previous works carried out by the company’s previous engagement and successful completion of the Lae Port Development Project.

“What they have done in Lae has changed its face, and they have a reputation that is recognized by the government,” Prime Minister O’Neill said.

In his message to the critics, the PM made similarities to the critics of the Poreporena Freeway Project, which was now and important gateway into the city that benefited all, including those that complained.

“This project will change the face of Port Moresby as one of the longest stretch of road ever built at any one time in the city, and is worth the investment put by the government.”